Omaha daily bee., 1887-02-25
The UNRlVALLED ADELINA
Patti Appears Before an Audience Of
Nearly 5000 People.
A MAGNIFICENT CONCERT.
An Assemblage Unequaied in the
Social History of Omaha-Ihe
Diva's Enthusiastic Recep-
tion-Gosstp of the Aisies.
The Audience.

61-
The Audience.
The largest contert audience which has
yet assembled in this city, the largest
audience which has this season been en-
tranced by the witchery of PATHS vo ice,
assembled last evening in the exposition
structure. 1t filled every part of the
building. From the stage to the western
end, from side to side, and all around the
galleries was one immense assem-
blage of human beings drawn
thither by the matchless voice
of Adelina Patti. Among the auditors
were the leaders of fashion, the most
prominent members of the social circles
of the city, and at the same time the rep
resentatives of the relia bic millions,
upon which is based, in large degree,
Omaha mercantile and industrial inter.
ests. From these the assemblage scaled
to less prominent and more humble
walks, the members of which also had
become possessed of a desire to
hear the worldrenowned vocal.
ist. With the first mentioned,
the richness of costume which means
allow was noticeable, though not to the
extent that would have been noticed un.
der other circumstances. Good taste and
not incompatible with the nature of the
surroundings, even if in some degree
differing from those which characterized
the divas appearance in other cities
There was an absence of the Objectionable
lady's hat, ut which so many shafts have
been directed. BY way of substitute, more
modest and sensible coverings were used
in the majority of instances, while in
many cases, ladies uncovered their heads
and enjoyed the entertainment much
after the manner in which they might
be expected to enter into the spirit of Il
parlor entertainment at home. a large
number of gentlemen were in full
dress. This fact, agreeable in itself
by comparison, made more noticeable
the absence of the costumes which would
have so intensified the brilliancy of the
scene. Yet, there was not lacking that
enthusiasm which, after all, is the soul of
an audience. This fact was strongly at
tested and when the heart of that great
assemblage was touched no uncertain
means were used to give expression to
the feeling. This expression came alike
from city and outside visitor, and its
frequency showed the hearty sympathy
which existed between both parts of the
house.
One hour was occupied in seating the
immense gathering. At the end of that
time. precisely S26s little man with a
bald head, bowed to- the audience. He
He turned to the orchestra, raised his
baton, and the first notes OF the overture
tloated over the heads of the audience.
The Concert.
Nine. Patti not only sang before the
largest audience that ever assembled in
Omaha to hear singer, but to the largest
she has appeared before during her
present American engagement. Her de-
but here was a vast. overwhelming ova-
ton. No similar trlbute ever given in
the trans Missouri country can in any
way compare with this event. The diva
controlled that mighty throng at her will.
Every note and every movement was
closely marked by the audience, and sell
dom is it that an assembly of people is so
completely under the thrall of the artistic
as was the one last evening. Nine. Patti
is the paragon of all that pertains to a
lyric artlste, and hence above criticism.
There was the same faultless
manner, the same matchless voice
and method that have characterized
Patti as the greatest dramatic sopr ano OF
all time. 1t is safe to say that no other
living soprano could have attracted the
6, 900 people that assembled in the exposi-
ton building. and the fact is beyond all
question that none could have sustained
their reputation and kept faith with the
people as did Patti. The management
furnished performance with the
prima dona, principals and orchestra of
finest grand opera companp ever organ
lied, which, given in city of Omaha S
age, is sufficient cause for congratulatOn.
When the dainty, trim figure of Patti
stepped upon the platform the storm OF
applause that broke forth was enough TO
convince anyone that she had captured
her audience before she had sung a
note. When the opening demonstra-
ton had subsidized the diva began
which she displayed all the rich
ness and brilliancy of voice that have
made her famous, and at the end she had
made n most unquestloned triumph. The
| most intricate passages were given VIII
"a freedom and lack of effort that demon
| strated her great superiority. After
| hearing Patti even in concert one gets
| the impression that there is nothing in
| all the range of vocalization that she is
not equal to; that she is keeping in re-
serve tremendous force with which To
conquer obstacles that somehow never
present themselves 10 her. And yet it i
| hard to realize that all the while she is
accomplishing difficulties, which to the
ordinary singer are impossible. 1t is
this faculty that demonstrates PATHS
| genius-her peerless superiority-and Sc
long as her voice retains ITS present quail
| ty she will continue to be the lyric
queen of the world.
There would be no use or reason in an
attempt al analyzing or criticlsing PATHS
work After she sang her first mum
Der, one simply felt that he mus
hear her sing more-no matter what
and after the selection from Lucia, " thu
storm of applause WAS SO terrific that the
diva could not ignore it and she gra
ciously responded, giving well known
Scotch ballad. Although the simple bal
lad is despised by many high-class oper,
goers, Nine. Patti can false it to posi-
ton where it com pel3 appreciation. Wht
| could resist the tender sentiment o
"Home, Sweet Home or The Last Ros'
of Summer" as sung by this superb ar
tiste last night? 1
PATTI possesses n curious magnetism
one that sinks the tenor and baritone anC
the bass into sort ef insignificance, al
though they be renowned artists and thei
work faultless. In aIyaried programme
such as was given last night on
perhaps gets better knowledge o